Messi vs. Ronaldo clash captivates Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson has picked out Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo - rivals in
next week's Champions League final - as the two most gifted players in the
game.

The Manchester United manager believes the two stars' work ethic allied to
their natural ability sets them apart.

Ferguson, who rates the quality in the Champions League as even higher than in
the World Cup, also rates AC Milan's Kaka to an extent ''although he has never
really taken my breath away''.

He told the latest issue of UEFA publication The Technician: ''There are some
players, such as Kaka, Messi and Ronaldo who are innately gifted.

''But this is not enough, and there is a practice element which becomes very
important.

''If you watch Cristiano Ronaldo, he practises after every squad training
session, and quite a few others do the same.

''As a coach, we dedicate parts of the training to improving touch, movement,
passing and speed of play, but the special quality, the detail, depends on the
player being willing to sacrifice himself after training - this is a hallmark of
the great players.

''If the big talents only rely on their natural ability, they won't have that
extra edge. They must do something extra on their own.''

Asked which opposition players he rated highest, Ferguson replied: ''When I
think of the current generation, Lionel Messi is top level and, although he has
never really taken my breath away, Kaka has impressed.''

Messi and Ronaldo will come face to face in the Olympic Stadium in Rome, and
Ferguson believes the Champions League is hard to beat when it comes to drama -
even compared to the World Cup.

The United manager added: ''There are many good games at the World Cup, but in
general the quality in the big UEFA Champions League games is, in my view,
higher.

''I think that, overall, the UEFA Champions League is hard to beat when it
comes to consistency, quality and drama.

''The World Cup, of course, is every four years, and big changes always take
place with the departure of many players and coaches and continuity then
suffers.''

Ferguson also picked out AC Milan's Paolo Maldini as his favourite opposition
player during his time as a Champions League coach.

''He has a wonderful presence, competitive spirit, athleticism, and although
not the world's greatest technically, he has influenced all the AC Milan teams
during his wonderfully successful era - a truly marvellous player,'' said
Ferguson.